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Fri, 31 Jul 2015 19:13:05 +0000en-UShourly110 things under 10 minutes from Saint-Laurent metro stationhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/10-under-10-saint-laurent-metro/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/10-under-10-saint-laurent-metro/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 16:25:22 +0000Jamie O'Mearahttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=114539Saint-Laurent metro station, on the green line, spills out onto Saint-Laurent Boulevard – known affectionately to Montréalers as “The Main” – and into the historic red-light district, now reborn as part of the downtown Quartier des spectacles, a year-round hive of arts, culture and entertainment activity. One-of-a-kind, character-filled performance venues, bars, restaurants and shops are a staple of this lively and dynamic part of the city. To help you get to know the neighbourhood, here are 10 unique and popular spots within 10 minutes walking distance of Saint-Laurent metro station. The Must: Quartier des spectacles Walking time: Between 2 and 9 minutes, depending on the venue Visitors to the roughly one-square-kilometre downtown Quartier des spectacles may notice the red-lit sidewalks in front of many of the 80-plus cultural venues located within this district, a nod to the area’s colourful history. In the present, the Quartier des spectacles is home to classy and classic state-of-the-art venues like Monument National, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Metropolis, Club Soda and, the crown jewels of soft-seater theatres, the centrally located Place des Arts complex. The Underground Experience: Les Foufounes Électriques Walking time: 4 minutes Foufounes Électriques (which translated means, yup, “electric buttocks”) is Montréal’s – and arguably... / Read More →

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Saint-Laurent metro station, on the green line, spills out onto Saint-Laurent Boulevard – known affectionately to Montréalers as “The Main” – and into the historic red-light district, now reborn as part of the downtown Quartier des spectacles, a year-round hive of arts, culture and entertainment activity. One-of-a-kind, character-filled performance venues, bars, restaurants and shops are a staple of this lively and dynamic part of the city. To help you get to know the neighbourhood, here are 10 unique and popular spots within 10 minutes walking distance of Saint-Laurent metro station.

Visitors to the roughly one-square-kilometre downtown Quartier des spectacles may notice the red-lit sidewalks in front of many of the 80-plus cultural venues located within this district, a nod to the area’s colourful history. In the present, the Quartier des spectacles is home to classy and classic state-of-the-art venues like Monument National, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Metropolis, Club Soda and, the crown jewels of soft-seater theatres, the centrally located Place des Arts complex.

Foufounes Électriques (which translated means, yup, “electric buttocks”) is Montréal’s – and arguably Canada’s – best known and most interesting punk/metal/alternative live music venue and dance bar. Its multilevel, urban/industrial design, built-in art galleries, front and back terrasses, cutting-edge live entertainment, themed party nights and cheap drinks have made this a forever-favourite with young and old Montréalers from all walks of life since its opening in 1983. And Nirvana, Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins all played early shows here.

Located near the intersection of the city’s best-known east/west and north/south streets – Sainte Catherine Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard – Accords Le Bistro offers a calming eating environment in the heart of the action. A spin-off of the Accords Bar à Vin/ Resto in Old Montréal, Accords Le Bistro offers an original menu comprised of fresh, local produce and specially selected wines to accompany the dishes. And with its late-night closing hours, it’s the perfect place to satisfy those post-show munchies in style.

Walk north or south from Saint-Laurent metro station and you’ll find two unique places to call your home-away-from-home. To the north, Hotel 10, which occupies the historic Godin building on the southwest corner of Sherbrooke Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard, is the very first poured concrete building in North America, and as such comes some fascinating architectural singularities. And its stress-less, minimalist interior design is tailor made for relaxation, as are its restaurant and accompanying terrasse, JARGO (great steaks and innovative drinks), and popular in-house nightclub, Blvd44, which also has a sprawling terrasse.

Walking south, you’ll find ZERO 1, a modern hotel with a choice of rooms and suites not only has some of the best views of downtown Montréal, it’s within easy walking distance of the Quartier des spectacles , Chinatown, Old Montréal and the Old Port, the Palais des congrès de Montréal and so much more. ZERO 1 also offers an enlightened array of packages that include passes to some of Montréals leading cultural events, such as Piknic Electronik and MEG Montréal.

For decades one of the last vestiges of the former red light district, the Midway Tavern catered to country music and a friendly albeit mostly down-on-their-luck crowd. Last year, the old Midway Tavern was purchased and reinvented as the very casually cool Taverne Midway. A virtually instant hit with the predominantly 25- to 35-year-old crowd that packs it up after work, the Midway tips its hat to its storied past while celebrating the present with a creative array of cocktails and a connoisseur’s collection of alcohols.

The Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) exists at the leading edge of digital innovation, supporting researchers, designers, musicians and artists of the pioneering variety. And this non-profit isn’t just great at ground breaking: party-making is also one of their many strengths. The multilevel, multipurpose space regularly hosts electronic music events; the third floor “Satosphere” 360-degree projection dome is a marvel of immersive art and technology; and their popular Food Lab kitchen and outdoor terrasse applies the same imagination to your appetites.

And right next door to Midway is much-loved greasy spoon Montréal Pool Room, which hasn’t actually had a pool table in eons. A favourite of late-night drinkers and other colourful characters, Montréal Pool Room opened in 1912 and has survived a fire and a forced relocation, all-the-while retaining its reputation for having the best “steamés” (hotdogs with steamed buns) in town. The equally inexpensive fries and poutine are top-notch as well.

Guys and gals can treat themselves to some offbeat shopping experiences nearby as well. Alternative in its outlook and aesthetic (prepare for sensory overload the second you step in), Eva B.is a vintage clothing boutique and thrift shop, a bistro bar and café, a costume rental store, and a rentable events space. Healthy sandwiches and paninis, fair trade coffees, and imaginative salads and desserts are among the many light food offerings you can have while shopping for that perfect ’60s-style leather jacket.

Renowned men’s and women’s hat makers and haberdashery Henri Henri (opened in 1932) have a unique claim to fame in this hockey crazy city: they’re responsible for the coining of the term “hat trick.” From 1950 to 1970, Henri Henri would reward any player who scored three or more goals in the Montréal Forum (the former home of the Montréal Canadiens) with a free hat. Nowadays, it’s a legendary destination for folks looking for trademark labels like Biltmore, Borsalino and Panizza, as well as Henri Henri’s own house brand.

Fun fact: Montréal’s Chinatown district, a straight walk south on Saint-Laurent Blvd. from the metro station, has the most paifang (ornate Chinese gates at the north, west, east and south entrances for a total of four) of any Chinatown in Canada. Behind these gates are a fascinating sensory confection of restaurants (pho, dim sum, BBQ etc.), import and novelty stores, hidden bars, and small family grocery stores packed with exotic goods – it’s a quick South Asian escape in the heart of Montréal.

Café Cleopatra is one of the very last remaining vestiges of the old red-light district. Also known as the Queen of the Main, the second floor Café Cleopatra drag and burlesque bar positively vibrates with character, and is one of those rare places that draws both straight and queer crowds. For a fabulously fun taste of the bad old days, an audience with the Queen is a must.

]]>http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/10-under-10-saint-laurent-metro/feed/0The Mondial des jeux Loto-Québec: On your mark, get set, play!http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/mondial-des-jeux-loto-quebec-montreal-2015/
http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/mondial-des-jeux-loto-quebec-montreal-2015/#commentsFri, 10 Jul 2015 16:05:59 +0000Laure Juilliardhttp://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/?p=113803For its second edition, from July 11 to 25, the Mondial des jeux Loto-Québec takes over the Quartier des spectacles, De Maisonneuve Boulevard, and Complexe Desjardins. For two weeks, some 20 exhibitors will offer serious gamers a digital and physical experience via close to 100 free activities. Lovers of board games and the outdoors will be able to get in on the action, literally, on the Gaming Boulevard, an open-air thoroughfare on De Maisonneuve Boulevard, between Jeanne-Mance and Saint-Urbain Streets. Numerous established and emerging board game publishers from Québec will host, among others, chess competitions (e.g., the Francophonie championship), Génies en herb, and Scrabble battles, not to mention juggling workshops. Also, from July 16 to 19, in particular, Nintendo will feature its recent release, Splatoon. New for 2015, the Mondial des jeux Loto-Québec will welcome for the first time at the SAT, July 10 to 12, the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive finals, the largest tournament ever to be organized in North America, bringing together about 20 professional teams as part of the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC). Throughout the duration of the festival and for the second consecutive year, the North American qualifier for the free Just Dance Now competition will... / Read More →

]]>For its second edition, from July 11 to 25, the Mondial des jeux Loto-Québec takes over the Quartier des spectacles, De Maisonneuve Boulevard, and Complexe Desjardins. For two weeks, some 20 exhibitors will offer serious gamers a digital and physical experience via close to 100 free activities.

Lovers of board games and the outdoors will be able to get in on the action, literally, on the Gaming Boulevard, an open-air thoroughfare on De Maisonneuve Boulevard, between Jeanne-Mance and Saint-Urbain Streets. Numerous established and emerging board game publishers from Québec will host, among others, chess competitions (e.g., the Francophonie championship), Génies en herb, and Scrabble battles, not to mention juggling workshops. Also, from July 16 to 19, in particular, Nintendo will feature its recent release, Splatoon.

New for 2015, the Mondial des jeux Loto-Québec will welcome for the first time at the SAT, July 10 to 12, the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive finals, the largest tournament ever to be organized in North America, bringing together about 20 professional teams as part of the Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC).